Sarah

I'll be in San Francisco in a couple of weeks and want to go to the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park. I have a question, though, about how to get there by public transportation.

The Academy's web site says to take the N-Judah line to 9th & Irving, then transfer to the #44 bus to the Academy. The MUNI web site, though, says to take N-Judah to 9th & Irving and then walk to the Academy.

I think I would rather walk, if possible, especially if the weather's decent. It's hard to tell how far a walk it is, though, from the maps I've seen. My questions are: 1) Is 9th & Irving to the Academy a reasonable walking distance?
2) Is this walk a safe neighborhood? I guess part of it is in the park, but don't know about the section from the station to the park.

Thanks!

ben

Yes, it's a very reasonable walking distance. From 9th & Irving walk north on 9th and after 1 block cross busy Lincoln Ave and walk through the park, following signs (or a map) to the Academy. Very safe and easy. Note that the muni metro is a train running in the center of the street and stops a various intersections - there aren't stations (in that area) per se.

Sarah

Thanks for the info, Ben! On this Muni train thing, does it stop at each stop automatically, or do you have to ring a bell or something to signal that you want a stop like on a bus?

Donna

Go to the SF MUNI website! Everything you need to know, along with fantastic PDF maps (with all the streets on them, too) to download, print and take with you.

ben

It will stop at 9th/Irving - don't worry about pulling the 'request stop' cord. The cars will be packed and many will get off/on at each stop. Your stop will be shortly after the UCSF Med Ctr stop at 2nd/Irving.

There are many good restaurants and bars along 9th Ave -- particularly in the block between Irving and Lincoln you will be walking, and in the block the other way between Irving and Judah. You might like to try one out so take notice of them as you are walking along. It's a very vibrant area.

Susan

Good advice, Ben! I just have to take this opportunity to warn folks away from PJ's Oyster Bed right there near Ninth and Irving. A group of ten of us all got food poisioning from oyster shooters there. Yikes!

Ben is right, though. It is a great neighborhood with many fun restaurants, bars and little shops. My favorite is the Fireside Lounge, a nice bar with a cozy fireplace.

The Academy of Sciences is very enjoyable. My kids particularly were fascinated with the earthquake exhibits. Enjoy.

J Correa

When you want the train to stop, you pull a cord like on a bus. It's a light rail train that is under ground in some areas and above ground in others.

Sarah

Thanks to everyone for their help!

Bob

The California Academy of Sciences is really not all that interesting. It is way past its prime, not to mention the fact that Golden Gate Park is not a very safe place to be walking through. I live right down the street near the UC med Center and this area is not as safe as it used to be.

what????

bob what ARE you talking about. i am your neighbor and have lived here for ten years- what on earth are you referring to? i walk at night (female) the streets are packed with people. there is a police substation right on the corner...seriously what are you refrring to? thanks. i'm concerned.

Susan

Bob must be referring to walking through GGP at night. Otherwise I'm at a lost to understand his comment also, particularly since the 9th Avenue is so busy during the day and it is a major enterance into GGP.

GGPark

This is part of a local investigative reportof what Golden Gate Park is like:

In the course of our rounds we find used needles (my partner stuck himself on one), maggot-infested cartons of rotten Chinese food, rain-soaked clothes and bed rolls, condoms (new and used), shopping carts loaded to the brim with gay pornography, a reindeer hand puppet, human excrement, one Krugerrand, two traffic cones, a stun gun, a tent, a VCR, zillions of little plastic drug bags (empty) and enough dead wine bottles to construct a life-sized statue of King Kong.